Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Things I've learned.....





As the year draws to an end, I can't help but think about how much I've changed over this past year! Its mostly because of losing weight, (40lbs so far... and 40 more to go) Lighting my load, so to speak, has made my mind clearer to think about other, more important, things... than... what I used to think about, which was Food, and what outfit I could fit into. I still have those outfit thoughts, and then I remember, i have LOTS of things to fit into! and I smile, and worry about other things.... here are some things that I've learned this year....


Things I’ve learned this year…


That I’m stronger than I thought I was
That I’m more beautiful than I used to be...
That I’m getting better with age
That I have a wonderful husband who isn’t always the best, but tries his best to make us happy
That money isn’t everything (but having some would be nice!)
To not to sweat the small stuff
That a little hard work goes a long way
That there’s no point in complaining about things… if you don’t like things the way they are, then do something to change them, STOP complaining! (this is not directed @ me... no... someone else, who shall remain nameless... but this is what I want to tell them on the Daily!)
That People are willing to help you, and work with you, if you’re friendly and nice to them!

That it doesn’t matter how much cinnamon you put in to ANYTHING, it will ALWAYS taste good!

That if you pay your bills on time, your credit score WILL go up!

That no matter how good it sounds, its never a good idea to buy a time share! NEVER!

That if you practice taking pictures, then soon, you'll be really good, and you won't have to go to the mall and pay a fortune for standard crap!

That patients IS a virtue, that I still don't have!


Here are some things I want to learn in the next year...

Generosity

To save

To be debt free

Selflessness

To always put others ahead of me

To remember those who are less fortunate than me

To remember that even tho I do not have much, I have much more than others, and should be grateful for those things

To be able to get my butt up in the morning on Sundays and take my family to church and build my relationship with God!

To manage my finances better so that I can get haircuts and pedicures on a regular basis!

To spend more time with the Friends and Family that I love...

To be more open, and give myself, my whole self, with out being scared, with out being closed off............ just give my heart, my full, whole, heart....

To learn to be a baby whisperer, and learn what this 2 year old baby drama is all about! yowza... sometimes I think there is such a thing as "baby PMS" haha! gotta love it though...


I know its not the end of the year yet, but these were things weighing on my mind, and I thought it would be a great way to start having a blogging subject... maybe I'll take each item that I've learned, and give my personal story behind it all.... that could be interesting... Stay Tuned... 2010 will be a better year folks! It will....

Thursday, December 10, 2009

How much is too much?

My Little Helper!

I've recently become fascinated, delighted, entranced, prisoner to cinnamon... I can't help it! I love it! I'm a cinnamon junky! It all started when I started having oatmeal for breakfast, EVERY MORNING. I would add a little bit of Cinnamon to my apple Cinnamon oatmeal to make it more tasty. Every morning, I found myself adding more and more and more, like a meth addict! I was becoming immune to the taste, and I had to have my morning fix. Its so bad that I have 3 Jars in my pantry, and 1 jar in the spice rack, and 1 industrial Costco Sized bottle at work! I fear I'll run out, so I keep buying it! and today, I bought another bottle. How could I not! My local Fresh and Easy was having a 1/2 off sale on their spices, so DUH, I had to stock up on my drug of choice!





So now, everything, and I mean EVERY thing I bake, I add, or OVER add, CINNAMON! When it says to add 1 tea spoon, I'll add the tea spoon, plus, a few table spoons!!! When I made cookies a few nights ago, I added 3 tablespoons of Cinnamon to them, to the basic Toll House Recipe (i also substituted 1/4 cup of flour, and added in cocoa powder! delish!)





Today, I had to make cupcakes for my co-workers birthday. She requested chocolate, which happens to be my favorite, and I happened to have a box mix in my pantry, so PERFECT!!! I just hope she likes the CINNAMON I added! lmao! I added about 2 Tablespoons, and I happened to LOVE, no, FREAKIN LOVE, them! My husband loved them too! And the baby said "mmmm nummie!" so, i'm pretty sure the office will adore them as well!!!





I just feel like it adds such a depth of flavor, sweetness, and spiciness all at the same time... PLUS, you could look at all the Health Benefits! Its so good for you! so why not add in extra, and extra... it tastes great! and its good for you! Whats not not love!


Whats all the HYPE!?



What the heck is all the hype about RED VELVET Cupcakes??? I mean… really??? Why do you like them? Because they are RED? Because they aren’t VELVET!!! I mean, they are good, but I would prefer chocolate any day… and… I bet you didn’t know, but Red Velvet… is really chocolate, with food coloring, and vinegar… See ingredients below….


2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Okay, so… REALLY??? Do you really feel that much more excited about it??? I don’t get it… I prefere chocolate, with chocolate frosting… oooo soo good!!! with a big tall glass of milk, or maybe a cup of coffee… either way, chocolate is the way to go!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Fancy Dance.... Fancy Pants...



It’s funny how a fancy place can make you feel… FANCY…. Recently my best friends took me to the fabulous Hotel and Spa in Newport Beach Ca for my birthday. The treated me to massage, and lunch, and the cutest birthday cake I’ve ever seen! When I got to the hotel, I instantly felt elegant, and refined. Walking through the tall, long, stone hallways listening to the quiet, calm music playing in the background just makes me feel like a fancy lady. I have to give a big thank you to Tatiana and Jody for a great birthday celebration!!! I Love those gals!


The Fancy Hotel Lobby


The Pure Blue Spa



My Fancy Cake!

How could a girl NOT feel fancy going to such a beautiful place, and eating such a beautiful cake!!!